Submit Fingerprints via Live Scan

Prior to granting commissions as notaries public, applicants must complete a background check. To assist in determining the fitness of the applicants to hold the position of notary public, applicants are legally required to be fingerprinted. (Government Code section 8201.1.) Applicants will have their fingerprints taken on the day of the notary course.

Applicants must submit one set of classifiable fingerprints, acceptable to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) for each notary public commission term. Fingerprints must be submitted electronically through the DOJ's Live Scan Program that takes and transmits fingerprints to the DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Request for Live Scan Fingerprinting Application form is available here. Important: A notary public commission will not be issued until a report from the DOJ and the FBI is received stating that there is no criminal history. If the report identifies any criminal history, a notary public commission will not be issued until the criminal history is reviewed, evaluated, and found to be non-disqualifying.